Hospital bed
A bed at a hospital provided for use by patients.
Hospital-initiated postponement (HIP)
When a hospital, not a patient, postpones an appointment.
Hysterectomy
Surgical procedure to remove the uterus.
Inguinal herniorrhaphy
Surgical repair of an inguinal hernia.
Intensive care unit (ICU)
Specialist hospital ward that provides critical care and life support for acutely ill and injured patients.
Length of stay
Time a patient spends in hospital, measured by days.
Median time
All times are sorted from shortest to longest and the time that sits in the middle is the median time. Also referred to as the 50th percentile time. The median time is the time within which half the patients have received treatment. See ‘Waiting time’ for related information.
Myringoplasty
Surgery to repair of a hole in the eardrum.
Myringotomy
Surgery performed on the eardrum to relieve pressure caused by built-up fluid.
Neonatal
Newborn baby/babies.
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)
A specialised hospital ward that provides care for seriously ill babies.
Neurosurgery
Surgery on the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
Non-admitted patient
Includes emergency department patients who are not admitted to hospital, outpatients and other patients who are treated by hospital employees away from the hospital site (e.g. community/outreach services). Also known as ambulatory patients.
Not ready for care patients
Patients who are not in a position to be admitted to hospital. Includes staged patients with medical conditions that are not amenable to surgery, and deferred patients who cannot attend for surgery for personal reasons (e.g. work/personal commitments).
Ophthalmology
Surgical specialty relating to the eyes and optic nerve.